Podemos members reject Socialist-Ciudadanos coalition

Spain took another step towards fresh elections Monday, after members of the far-left Podemos party resoundingly rejected a coalition government between the Socialists and Ciudadanos parties.

Eighty-eight percent of the 150,000 party members who took part in the vote between Thursday and Saturday were against a Socialists (PSOE)-Ciudadanos (“Citizens”) government bloc, Podemos tweeted Monday.

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias called the poll of party members last week, after a meeting between Podemos, the Socialists and Ciudadanos failed to produce a deal for a new government. About 40 percent of those who took part are eligible to vote, El País reported.

Ninety-two percent backed Iglesias’ proposal to form a leftist coalition government with the Socialists and smaller, nationalist parties.

If no deal is reached by May 2, parliament will be dissolved and new elections held on June 26.